Broncbusters announce 2025 Hall of Fame Class

Garden City, KS-The Garden City Community College Athletic Department announced their 2025 Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, which includes five new inductees: former football star, Corey Jenkins, women's basketball coach, Alaura Sharp, longtime Broncbuster supporter, Leonard Hitz, and former men's wrestling coach, Mark Leen along with the 1992 national championship team. They were selected by a nine-member committee.

"These four individuals and one team encapsulate the rich tradition of Broncbuster athletics," Director of Athletics, Mike Pilosof said in a statement. "It's a great representation of the department, and each candidate is well deserving."

Jenkins, who was a two-time All-American quarterback for Hall of Fame Coach, Bob Larson, came to Garden City after being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft. He spearheaded the Broncbusters' run to the 2000 National Championship Game, throwing for nearly 1,400 yards and rushing for 900, earning first-team All-Jayhawk honors. 

Following his two-year career at Garden City, Jenkins signed with Lou Holtz and South Carolina where he played quarterback, running back, safety, and linebacker. He was then taken in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins where he spent the better part of two seasons. He also had stints with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers before signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in 2007. 

"When you think of some of the best football players to come through Garden City, Jenkins' resume is second to none," Pilosof added. "His 2000 team was seconds away from a national championship, and his numbers speak for themselves."

Sharp, the 2009 Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year, who went 83-46 (.643) in four seasons leading the Broncbuster women's basketball program, guided Garden City to the second most wins (29) in program history in 2012-13, which included a 15-0 start to the season. In fact, she is one of only two coaches (she and John Armstrong) to post back-to-back 20-win campaigns and is second on the program's all-time wins list behind Hall of Famer, Bobby Brasel. 

Following Garden City, Sharp spent three seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Southern Miss and three as an assistant at Louisiana Tech. She then landed her first Division-I head job at Presbyterian in 2018. In 2024, she led the Blue Hose to the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament win: a 49-42 victory over Sacred Heart in the First Four. She is currently the head women's coach at Appalachian State. 

"Coach Sharp is a proven leader and has won at every level," Pilosof said.

In more than five decades in Garden City, Hitz has been instrumental in the growth of Broncbuster athletics. After serving in the Marine Corps, Hitz spent nearly 12 years as the Vice President of Bank of America. During that time, he along with former Athletic Director and Hall of Famer, Dennis Perryman, started the Broncbuster Athletic Association-which raises money for student-athlete scholarships. He has served on the Board of Directors, has volunteered his time for numerous jobs on campus, and is currently the Chair of the Garden City Community College Board of Trustees. 

"Truth be told, Mr. Hitz has provided a foundation for Broncbuster Athletics," Pilosof stated. "He is arguably the biggest supporter that we have. He truly bleeds brown and gold."

Leen, who is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, was named the NJCAA Coach of the Year in 1992, '94, and '95. He compiled a 98-3 dual mark at Garden City, which included a national record 81-match win streak, 12 national champions and 49 All-Americans. He guided the Broncbusters to three team national titles in 1992, '94, and '95. 

"I know a lot of people talk about the tradition of Broncbuster football, and rightfully so," Pilosof said. "But wrestling won the school's first national title. In a sense, they put Garden City on the map."

The 1992 championship squad placed eight wrestlers and won the title by 15 points over North Idaho. Joey Wildasin, who was an incredible 132-1 in high school, completed his second straight undefeated campaign at 126 lbs., and Jeremy Manney, a returning All-American, was the runner up at 158 lbs. 

The class will be inducted during Hall of Fame weekend on Friday, Apr. 25 at Conestoga Arena beginning at 6 p.m. More information on tickets and pricing will be sent out in the coming weeks. Please visit www.gobroncbusters.com for updates.